Orthopedic support for shoes



Feb. 9,1926. 1,572,213

' w. LUCAS I ORTHOPEDIC SUPPORT FOR SHOES Filed March 14 1925 zjzj INIENTOR WzZZezZ Lucas.

Patented Feb. 9, 1926.

UNITED? STATES 1,572,213 PATENT OFFICE.

WILBERT LUCAS, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

' ORTHOPEDIG SUPPORT FOR SHOES.

Application filed March 14, 1925. Serial m. 15,439.

' sold for this purpose, but they usually con vide a special sist of one of two types. Firstly, a bandage, which in order to afford support to the underside of the foot has to be tightened to such a degree as to interfere with the wearers circulation, and-which also has a detrimental effect on the small bones inthe upper side of the foot, sometimes even resulting in their displacement. Secondly, a

rigid arch support, which exerts upward pressure under the astragalus, and which is not adjustable either as to the extent or transverse location of the upward pressure it exerts.

This invention aims to provide a flexible support held in position under the astraga lus by an arrangement of straps so as to form a cradle. The straps, moreover, are so arranged as to fasten round the leg just above the ankle.

Another object of the invention is to propad for the shock absorbing fleshy portion of the sole of the foot immediately behind the front ends of the metatarsal bones.

"With these and other objects in view, the invention consists, in certain novel construction and combination. of parts hereinafter more fully described with the aid of the accompanying drawings, and claimed.

Figure 1 shows a flexible support in its simplest form independently of a shoe.

Figure 2 is another view'of the support shown in Figure I. a

Figure 3 illustrates a Shoe provided with my orthopedic support.

Figure 4 is an inverted plan showing the flexible support, and method of attaching it to an insole.

Figure 5 is a perspective of the flexible support, showing its upturned sides, the method of corrugating the upper surface of the insole, and the more or less centrally located pad for the shock absorber.

Figure 6 depicts a modified form of construction.

Referring more particularly to the drawlng s, and to Figures 3, 4, and 5 therein, 1 designates a shoe the sides of which are provlded with side portions 2, sewn to the upper as indicated at 3, and having their lower ends sewn between the upper and the sole. Within the shoe is the insole 4, through which longitudinal slots 5 are provided, and

the central portion 6 is attached, as by glue,

to the underside of the flexible support 7. The sides of the latter bear against the inside of the upper as shown in Figure 3. The straps '8, which at the front I usually make integral with the toe cap 10, extend I rearwardly against the outside of the upper.

enter the front openings 9 between the up er and the portions 2, bear against the 11nd side of the support 7, are threaded through the slots 5, and cross each other substantially under the centre of the insole 4. The straps emerge again through the rear slots 9, pass through the loop 11 formed by the heel reinforcing piece 12, and then comeforward again round the leg and one of the straps may be threaded through the loop 13 attached more or less centrally over the shoe fastening means as shown or, if desired, the loop 13 maybe omitted and the straps merely fastened leg in proximity to the ankle.

As the straps are tightened the the flexible support 7 to hug the si es of the foot as well as the bottom, and the diagonal arrangement of straps is such that support is afforded under and around the whole of the arch. Moreover the amount of support furnished may be by tightening or loosening the straps. And again as the fastening of the stra s occurs round the,

in the drawing;

compel increased or diminished round the lower portion. of the eg, pressure on the upper. part of the foot is obviated. The insole 4 may be provided with an inseam 14 for attachment to a. welt, so

that the sole itself cannot be raised to any appreciable extent in the centre by the straps.

the support I provide a roughened surface 15 through which holes 16, and between the roughened surface and the insole, padding may be arv ranged to the desired thickness; in this way I furnish support for the fleshy shock ab-v sorbing portion of the foot. The roughened surface tends to minimize, or completely More. or less centrally of the fore part of i there are a plurality oi prevent, movement of the foot over the suri loop through the foot, passes diagonally face, and the holes 16 form vacuum cups to furtheriassist in holding the foot thereon. Callouses are formed by-the movement of Y the foot against the usual smooth surface of the lining, so that the construction herein mentioned materially lessens the possibility of their development. For the same reason I generally sup ly corrugations 20 on the up er surface 0 the insole; these I usually ma e with knife cuts. Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, the flexible support 4* is generally made of felt, or some other material which is soft and at the same time has a slightly rough surface, and on the underside is a piece of leather indicated at 17. 18 indicates a longitudinal which the strap 8 passes. In this case the strap bears over the centre of under the support and is again secured round the lower part of the leg. The holes 16 tend to hold the foot from slipping on the surface of the support in the same way as the holes 16.

Figure 6 shows the application of the invention to turned shoes and stitch-downs,

' wherein the,insole only extends from the heelto the front of the instep. In this case if combine the insole and the supporting member as shown at 21, attach it towards the front and rear to the outer sole as shown, at 22 and 23, and arrange the diagonal straps 8 thereunder.

0bviously,-gaps (not shown in the drawings) have to be left between the upper and a the insole-to allow the straps to be adjusted through and under the insole.

It is believed that a clear conception of the invention maybe had from the foregoing description, and it isunderstood that the construction of the support is subject to such modifications as fall withn the scope of the appended claims. I y i What I claim as my-invention and desire I. to secure by'Letters Patent is 1. An orthopedic support comprising a flexible supporting mem er adapted to extend under the arch of the foot, and flanges on each side of said member, in combination with a diagonal arrangement of straps underthe said member by which upward pressure of said member and inward pressure of said flanges can be exerted to varying degrees,

and a roughened pad. on said sup- 1 porting member with holes through its upper surface adapted to support the shock absorbing fleshy portion Of the sole of the foot.

2. An orthopedic support for shoes comprising a flexible supporting member attached to the top of an insole having longitudinal slots therethrough, and straps passing under said supporting member and through said slots.

3. An orthopedic support for shoes comprising a flexible supporting member adapted to support the arch of a foot, upwardly projecting sides on said supporting member, diagonal straps undersaid member, outer portions on the sides ofa shoe, part of said straps extending between said outer portions and the outside of the upper, a means for holding the forward ends of the straps on the outer surface of said shoe, and fastening means on the opposite ends of said straps adapted to be secured round the leg of the wearer in proximity to the ankle.

4:. An-orthopedic support for shoes as described in claim 3, wherein the flexible supporting member is attached to an insole, and wherein longitudinal slots are provided through said insole on eachside of the point of attachment.

5. An orthopedic support for shoes as described in claim 3, wherein a roughened raised surface having a plurality of holes therein is provided in that portion of the flexible supporting member adapted to rest under the fleshy shock absorbing portion of the sole of the foot.

6. An orthopedic support for shoes as described in claim 3 wherein the means for holding the front ends of the straps consists of making them integral with a toe cap.

7. An orthopedic support for shoes comprising a shoe having a toe cap with a strap extending rearwardly from each side thereof, side portions on each side of ,an upper between which and said upper part of said straps are located, a flexible supporting member having upwardly extending sides located within the upper, said straps crossing diagonally under said supporting member and being adapted to exert upward pressure thereon and also inward pressure on said upwardly extending sides, in combinabetween said slots.

WILBERT LUCAS. 

